I came home from work, today, and this was on the TV. I was surprised to see Bumphrey Hogarth and Ronald Raygun are in it.
The plot involves Bette Davis’ flighty socialite Judith Traherne discovering she’s terminally ill, after her Doc’ – George Brent as Dr Steele – trying to keep the news from her.
It’s full of dated themes, some of which the movie doesn’t address at all. And some it only addresses partially or momentarily – such as relations between the rich and their servants – but it still packs quite a punch, for addressing such a hefty issue.
Ultimately it’s really very moving. We all face death. And this film faces that awful topic head on. It’s also interesting in how it deals with cancer, which Steele, first Traherne’s doctor, and then her husband, can’t help her. It’s perhaps even more poignant now? Because of how cancer treatment has come on since then, and yet remains one of our chief killers.
Also very moving is how it treats the idea of protecting a loved one. Although perhaps nowadays we’d counsel straightforward honesty, in favour of noble self- sacrifice.
But the way it ends remains very powerful, very moving. I blubbed like baby. but then I’m a big softy.